Лавка древностей

Chapter 23

           TellhimIamhisfriendandyourswhyshouldn’tIbe?’

           ‘There’snoreasonwhyyoushouldn’t,certainly,’repliedDick,‘andperhapsthereareagreatmanywhyyoushouldatleasttherewouldbenothingstrangeinyourwantingtobemyfriend,ifyouwereachoicespirit,butthenyouknowyou’renotachoicespirit.’

           ‘Inotachoicespirit?’criedQuilp.

           ‘Devilabit,sir,’returnedDick.‘Amanofyourappearancecouldn’tbe.Ifyou’reanyspiritatall,sir,you’reanevilspirit.Choicespirits,’addedDick,smitinghimselfonthebreast,‘arequiteadifferentlookingsortofpeople,youmaytakeyouroathofthat,sir.’

           Quilpglancedathisfree-spokenfriendwithamingledexpressionofcunninganddislike,andwringinghishandalmostatthesamemoment,declaredthathewasanuncommoncharacterandhadhiswarmestesteem.Withthattheyparted;MrSwivellertomakethebestofhiswayhomeandsleephimselfsober;andQuilptocogitateuponthediscoveryhehadmade,andexultintheprospectoftherichfieldofenjoymentandreprisalitopenedtohim.

           ItwasnotwithoutgreatreluctanceandmisgivingthatMrSwiveller,nextmorning,hisheadrackedbythefumesoftherenownedSchiedam,repairedtothelodgingofhisfriendTrent(whichwasintheroofofanoldhouseinanoldghostlyinn),andrecountedbyveryslowdegreeswhathadyesterdaytakenplacebetweenhimandQuilp.NorwasitwithoutgreatsurpriseandmuchspeculationonQuilp’sprobablemotives,norwithoutmanybittercommentsonDickSwiveller’sfolly,thathisfriendreceivedthetale.

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